Southern Africa Faces Humanitarian Crisis Amidst El Niño-Driven Droughts, Floods

A severe drought exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern has left millions food insecure in Southern Africa, warns World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain.

During a recent visit to Zambia, the epicenter of the crisis, McCain described the situation as both “alarming and heartbreaking.”

The droughts have decimated harvests in areas where 70% of the population relies on agriculture, leaving farmers unable to feed their families and communities.

Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi have all declared states of drought disaster, with 40-80% of their maize crops destroyed.

To address the crisis, Southern African leaders have launched a $5.5 billion humanitarian appeal. However, WFP still requires $409 million over the next six months to assist 4.8 million people.

The WFP officials are urgently calling on the international community to provide immediate support, emphasizing that “these families need our help today.”